doing the math... it's nearly 32 years since this happened

Electric violin with delay/looping/pitch-shifting/distortion & wah effects with multi-track cassette accompaniment; performed live at the Royal Northern College of Music, late 1992.

This work attempts to recreate that known sensation of time dilation/warping, more commonly experienced in the moment of something terrifying happening. Time can seemingly pass so slowly but in fact is mere split-seconds. Through structured sound and free improvisation Four Second Sight explores such questions as "how long is a second?" and "what happens to our experience of time when faced with annihilation?"

This piece can appear to last a very very long time! It is meant to.

The prerecorded accompanying part is a wild and quite random compilation of snippets of audio media taken from Lp and cassette recordings and represents the 'thing' causing panic. The electric violin part is the reaction to the shock and was improvised live in concert.

Four Second Sight - 23rd Anniversary Edition

Kiyoharu Kuwayama / Falsegraphia  ( 10inch Lathe Cut / Ltd 45 )

Estonian duo Maarja Nuut & Ruum operate in a musical interzone; connecting the deep-rooted, intuitive worldview of days past with the hyper-mediated realities and seemingly limitless technological possibilities of the present and future.  A tour de force of sonic dexterity, their debut album 'Muunduja' is released on our 130701 imprint on October 5th. 

Listen / read / pre-order:  www.130701.com/release/muunduja/

Maarja Nuut & Ruum - Haned Kadunud

This a song I wrote 9 years ago! I've only just recorded my debut album, "A little bit of me" which was released on 8 October so this is finally out there!

A Little Bit of Me

I Love Your Smile

Lyrics:
I’m fighting civil wars 
Setting fire to buildings
Explosions going off
Siding with the villains
I’ve tuned out every voice
‘Til it’s only screams left   
Can’t think over the noise
Inside my head

I’m feeling ignorant and ugly I’m ignorant and ugly
Bare ma teeth just tae sink em intae somedy
Bite down. Pipe down. Lights out.
Right now, no more Mr Nice Clown
Always smiling on the outside
And they said that it’s infectious (Tourettes is)
My contagious good nature
Well I feel it less the further that it’s spreading
Spent years trying tae make masel thoughtful, feeling awful
Behave Dave you’re a role model
But there’s no pressure release for the stress-filled heid	 		 	
So I’m pressing release on this press release
I NEED TO GET ANGRY
I I, I NEED A PLACE TO BE ANGRY
Smashed crackpot (crackpot)
‘Cause if you bury down mad thoughts for that long you’ll burst like a ragdoll

I’m banging ma head on the wall just break the bricks off	  
Nothing left but rubble as they smash on the ground
Clash shout act out
I’ll huff puff and blow yir house down 

It keeps streaming through ma head I’m on the spectrum 
Between extremes or ZX, come on and take yir pick: plectrum
Lyrics: jagged shards, the beat kicks in yir rib cage
Attacks yir heart, stimulates yir lizard brain
Rip the frame, step out the portrait
Spit the flames, redecorate yir dome space
Cypher brain boxes catch beatings in doorways
I preside over proceedings: court case
Shouting on stage all night: hoarse Dave
Still run that thing for days? Course mate
Feeling raah animal noises and cold coffee
Nah nah nah I argue wi voices with no bodies
Yous are made up figments, imaginary, nobodies
Call that rap? I heard yir verses mate – no bodies
Hold on. Fuck you fuck you fuck you, now I’m feeling better
I’m away to write down a few more fuck yous and seal them in a letter

I’m banging ma head on the wall just break the bricks off	  
Nothing left but rubble as they smash on the ground
Clash shout act out
I’ll huff puff and blow yir house down

I need an outlet, drowning in news outlets
Here to chase you out of Earth with Liam Howlett
Then find some new hang ups tae add tae ma collection
Wear em round ma neck like Andrew Scott’s ear necklace
Fuck the pretentious “Fuck you Pay Me”
Word view, made me. We’re bird flu babies
Turned new pages, head just shaking 
This feeling that 90% of yous are still underestimating
Me, hip-hop, rap, what we say we do
This mask is something that I’ll only ever wear for good
This is not a fad I’m not a lip-service sermonist
Scribbles in ma pad cause comfortable folks nervousness
They said I was some kinda saviour
Award winning, world-toured, hip-hop doctor and I still feel like a failure
Suffocating claustrophobe, but when Mary drops that rock n roll
I grab a mic and shed this awkward host

I’m banging ma head on the wall just break the bricks off	  
Nothing left but rubble as they smash on the ground
Clash shout act out
I’ll huff puff and blow yir house down

Brickwall

Rudolf Haken is a violist, composer, and professor of music internationally renowned for his creative melding of disparate musical styles and genres. He is particularly known for his work with extended-range violas, appearing in concert on four continents with his five-string Rivinus viola and six-string Wood Violins Viper electric viola.

Haken is Professor of Viola at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as Founder and Director of the University of Illinois Electric Strings program, which offers a Bachelor of Arts in Electric Strings!

Learn more about Professor Haken's music and Electric Strings studies at the U. of Illinois by visiting rudolfhaken.com/electric.

Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 36: Rudolf Haken

Original track produced and written by: 
piKE blaX 
[AAR Music - MSO Entertainment]

BURIED TO RISE

CAN’T PLAY LIKE THIS

Can't Play Like This

Kind Woman Highway Blues

A poem written by Sir John Betjemen about St. Barnabas Church in Jericho, Oxford. Music by Steph Pirrie, piano by Tim Lapthorn. Penny Whistle Steph Pirrie. Photo by Valerie Petts.

Heart of Jericho

Be Thine abode

A solo rendition of Powell's song "I'll Be Moving On", with Powell playing guitar and harmonica, previously recorded by the 13th Floor Elevators.  Enjoy!

I'll Be Moving On

An artist whose work engenders unexpected reactions and often elicits an extraordinary response.
• “One of the most carefully constructed musical statements of any Oxford artist in 2017”
• “Thought provoking. Challenging. Exacting. Ambient at times, almost intrusive at others”
• “An artfully constructed whole... a significant contribution”
• “I am simply amazed yet again by this work”
• “It is emotionally pulverising”
• “Exciting and exhilarating”
• “I found it quite calming”
• “The mood doesn't lift”
• “I really love that”

Four Second Sight - 23rd Anniversary Edition

Deltaviolin

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